Much of the time, I’m coasting along, contented. Then something happens that sets into motion an all-encompassing panic which manifests as a racing heart, stifling internal chatter and feeling on edge. This anxiety has been a problem for me, on and off, for years. I would describe it as a fear of the worst happening.

I’ve tried several treatments, from past life regression and CBT to group chanting, all with varying levels of success. Hence I went along to the Lightning Process (LP) – so called because it claims in just three days to transform chronic conditions, such as anxiety, depression, ME and eating disorders. I will admit, though, I went along with a healthy dose of scepticism.

POSITIVE OVER NEGATIVE

The brainchild of Phil Parker, osteopath, hypnotherapist and NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) practitioner, LP teaches you how to recover from chronic illness by changing your neurological pathways at will. In essence, outdated negative thoughts are replaced with positive ones to stimulate the production of endorphins, rather than stress hormones.

Before attending the course, I was sent a home-study download. Listening to Phil talk about the power of beliefs, in particular the placebo effect, definitely launched me into a challenging-the-status-quo kind of mindset.

Day one, I arrived at a small room in Victoria. Six people were sat in a circle with Helen Harding, an experienced LP practitioner. We were challenged to examine the difference between beliefs and facts.

No, I wasn’t always completely truthful in my relationships. Yes, at times, I was prejudiced, even though I hated to admit it. We can all fall into negative thought patterns if we don’t exert control over our beliefs.

Helen shed light on the importance of positive editing, which made me realise how often I use negative language, both internally and when recounting a story to others – boy, do I get a high from powering up those negative neurones!

Fundamentally, the course taught me there’s always a choice and you are free to choose a different path.

THE COLD, HARD TRUTH

Give it a go: I would highly recommend this therapy. Although pricey, remember you are getting 16 hours of life-changing coaching. It’s the kind of training that should be offered in schools, so children learn from the outset how to think more positively about the world around them. This, in turn, would help them cope better with stress and anxiety throughout their lives.

High point: Learning to coach yourself out of ‘the pit’ with kindness.

Low point: Realising that unless your body is in tune with your mind, the training won’t work.

Cost: £695

Contact: The Lightning Process

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